MODULAR BUILDINGS

Abstract

A modular building comprises a support frame for various modules forming the floor, roof and external wall of the building. The floor is provided by floor modules that can be slid or lifted into place within the support frame. Room modules may be incorporated into the floor. Services may be installed in the modules.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to UK App. No. GB 0619540.8 filed 4 Oct. 2006, which is entitled Modular Buildings, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/751,892, which in turn, claims priority to United Kingdom App. Nos. 0610185.1 filed 23 May 2006, and 0619540.8 filed 4 Oct. 2006, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to modular buildings and to a building system for constructing such modular buildings.

In my UK patent application No. 2415444, which is incorporated herein by reference, I describe a modular building comprising box-shaped modules that are prefabricated and tested off-site and then transported to the building site where they are assembled to form the modular building. This eliminates a large proportion of on-site building and increases the speed of construction of the building.

The modules are removably mounted in a frame that provides support for external cladding and roofing of the building to form the weatherproof exterior. The external cladding may be removable to allow access to the modules for removal and insertion of the modules. Accordingly, the necessity for tradesmen to enter the building is greatly reduced because tradesmen can gain access to the modules from the exterior of the building by removing the appropriate cladding.

The modular construction of my earlier application provides flexibility for the design and construction of buildings for any desired use and enables the building to be adapted to suit changing requirements in a cost effective manner by adding new modules or exchanging existing modules for new modules.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have now discovered that the principle of using a modular construction can be extended with advantage to other types of buildings. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a building comprising a support frame and a plurality of prefabricated modules received in the support frame, the modules being floor modules to form a floor and/or roof modules to form a roof.

Using pre-fabricated modules to form the floor and/or roof of the building produces an open-plan layout that can then be fitted out according to the design requirements of the building by the use of modular rooms as described in my afore-mentioned earlier patent application or by conventional building methods using partition walls to divide up the floor area into different rooms or sections as appropriate. In this way, the floor and roof can be constructed off-site and brought to the site for installation in the support frame by any suitable means.

The modules may be constructed to facilitate installation of services such as pipework and wiring, for example by the provision of channels or ducts to receive the services. Alternatively or additionally, the modules may be constructed with services built-in.

The modular system of the invention may be employed in single or multi-storey buildings for any purpose. For example, the invention lends itself to the construction of wide range of different types and sizes of buildings where an open plan area may be employed including, but not limited to, supermarkets, hotels, shopping arcades, airport concourses, laboratories, process plants, hospitals, data and communication buildings, schools, sports facilities, factories and the like.

From another aspect, the invention provides a method of constructing a building comprising providing a support frame for the building and inserting pre-fabricated modules into the frame to produce a floor and/or roof of desired size and shape.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with the external skin removed to show the support frame and modular units;

FIGS. 3 to 6 show various stages in the construction of the building shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 7 to 16 show parts of the modular floor system;

FIGS. 17 to 22 show parts of the modular roof system; and

FIG. 23 shows part of a modular wall system.

Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a building 10 according to the invention of rectangular shape in plan view with an entrance 12 on one side. It will be understood that the building could have a shape other than rectangular, for example wedge shaped in plan view, and that more than one entrance may be provided.

The building 10 has a support frame 14 constructed and arranged to receive a range of pre-fabricated modular units. The support frame 14 may be made of steel, timber, glass reinforced plastics, concrete, fiber resin or other suitable materials including combinations of different materials. In this embodiment, the modular units include pre-fabricated floor modules in the form of panels 16, pre-fabricated room modules 18 and 20, and pre-fabricated roof modules in the form of panels 24 and unit 25 (FIG. 5).

The floor panels 16 may be made of concrete, optionally reinforced, although other materials could be used such as resins, glass reinforced plastic, fibers, steel, etc. The floor panels 16 slide into openings in the external wall of the support frame 14 on guides or runners (not shown) to form the ground floor of the building 10. The perimeters of the floor panels 16 may include a perimeter frame (not shown) to allow the panels to be joined together and sealed if necessary to give a fully finished floor module.

The floor panels 16 may be adapted for installation of service such as pipework or wiring. For example, the floor panels 16 may be formed with channels or ducts to receive the pipework or wiring. Alternatively, the floor panels 16 may be fabricated with the services installed. Alternatively, the services can be saddled to the underside of the floor supports.

The floor panels 16 allow the building to be constructed with an open-plan floor area of any desired size and shape. This area can be sub-divided into rooms or smaller areas if desired by partitioning or similar conventional methods. The use of floor panels 16 that slide into the support frame 14 provides a simple and effective method of constructing any lay-out of open-plan floor area within the support frame to suit the requirements. Furthermore, the lay-out can be altered and/or extended by removing/replacing/adding floor panels 16, possibly with extensions to the support frame where necessary.

The room modules 18 are similar to those described in my earlier above-noted patent application and are slid into openings in the external wall of the support frame 14 on guides or runners to form an upper floor of the building. The room modules 18 may be fitted out according to the intended application of the room. Each module 18 may be a self-contained room. Alternatively, two or more adjacent modules 18 may form a single, larger room or suite of rooms.

The room modules 20 are designed to slide into openings in the external wall of the support frame 14 on the ground floor after insertion of the floor panels 16 and provide a quick and effective method of converting at least some of the open-plan floor area for specific uses. For example the room modules 20 may include pre-installed equipment for the intended application of the room, for example kitchens, restaurants, fridge/freezers, offices, bakeries, shop units, toilets, plant rooms etc. Each module 20 may be a self-contained room. Alternatively, two or more adjacent modules 20 may form a single, larger room or suite of rooms. The room modules 20 can be installed at any desired locations and the lay-out can be altered and/or extended by removing/replacing/adding room modules 20, possibly with extensions to the support frame 14 where necessary.

Modules 18 and 20 may arrive complete with any of the following services:—

• • Building Management Systems (BMS)
  • Main buildings services spine
  • Services inlets, outlets and infrastructure within modules
  • Centralized monitoring and control Building Management Systems (BMS) within their buildings and structures.
  • In addition to a network infrastructure being required, it is anticipated that BMS boxes and interface panels will be generic removable “plug & play” style devices with varying degrees of functionality that can be tailored to user requirements.
  • All modules may need to be interconnected via a main buildings infrastructure spine and/or services distribution zones. This may be achieved by using “plug and play” devices.

Modules could have basic services or even conceive a standard infrastructure cable loom that may be used to build up in series a spine of any length incorporating a style network.

• • Modules could have electrical safeguards such as “dongle” style devices and software keys so that only compatible modules and systems modules can be used within a building.
  • Services infrastructure within the modules along with provision of input/output devices and interconnectivity to main building service spines may include, but not be limited to, supply of electricity (high and low voltage), telecoms, intranet, cabling, interfaces, coaxial systems together with control interfaces and mechanical circuit breakers along with any systems required by established building standards such as Pyro fire monitoring systems and security systems that may be built in.
  • Using a single composite cable for the most common services power, phone, data, communication devices, monitoring, switching, in conjunction with a generic wall mounted receptacle would allow the fitting of different face plates depending upon which service may be required from a particular outlet point, even lighting units. Using these methods will result in deskilling the installation and maintenance of services within buildings.
  • Additionally, interfaces may be required with the building service spine so that modules may be quickly and easily connected/disconnected as they are removed and upgraded or refurbished. Failsafe devices can may be built into the module interconnect solution. Power contacts within connectors to aid the connecting up of modules or lanyard release and stored energy release connectors as safeguards for when removing modules.
  • All wet services, such as water and waste connections, will be connected within the units ready to be connected to main service riser or spine.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6 of the drawings, various stages in the construction of the building are shown. For convenience, only part of the building is shown. FIG. 3 shows the steel support frame 14 erected on a foundation 22. FIG. 4 shows the installation of the floor panels 16 by sliding into in the support frame 14 to form the open plan ground floor area of the building. The floor panels 16 can be overlaid to provide any type of floor finish for the intended application thereby achieving a complete uninterrupted monolithic finish, for example vinyl, carpet, wood or the like.

FIG. 5 shows the installation of roof panels 24 and a glazed unit 25 to form the roof area of the building. The panels 24 are lifted and slid into place over the support frame 14 and the glazed unit 25 is lifted and lowered into place by a crane or the like. FIG. 5 also shows the installation of a room module 18 on the second floor of the building by sliding into the support frame 14. The room module 18 may house plant equipment such as an air conditioning unit or may be fitted out for use as an office.

FIG. 6 shows the installation of room modules 20 on the ground floor by sliding into the support frame 14. The room modules 20 may be provided for a range of purposes such as kitchens, restaurants, fridge/freezers, offices, bakeries, shop units, toilets, plant rooms etc. FIG. 6 also shows the provision of a removable canopy 26 attached to the support frame 14 after insertion of the room modules 18 in the second floor.

For some applications, removable balconies may be provided, for example where the building is used for living accommodation such as flats or hotels. The building is made weather-tight on completion by sealing the roof panels 24 and providing a façade to the walls. The façade may be in the form of an external skin such as cladding or glazing according to the design of the building. The façade is detachable and/or can be opened to allow the modules 16,18,20 to be removed and/or replaced when changing/extending the lay-out of the building.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 15 of the drawings, various parts of the modular floor system above-described are shown in more detail. For convenience, like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a system for joining the ends of two floor panels 16a,16b. In FIG. 7 the abutting end faces of the panels 16a,16b are joined by one or more rivets 30 or other fastening means. In FIG. 8, the abutting ends of the panels 16a,16b are additionally secured on the underside by one or more clips 36. FIG. 7 also shows the panels 16a,16b having floor finishes 32a,32b on the upper surface with sealant 34 and edge trim 36 finish therebetween.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a system for joining the sides of two floor panels 16a,16b. In FIG. 9, the adjacent side faces of the panels 16a,16b are joined by male and female formations 38a,38b that allow the panels 16a,16b to slide lengthwise relative to each other. In FIG. 9, the formations are of dovetail shape that prevent the panels 16a,16b separating in a vertical or horizontal direction. It will be understood however that other shapes and configurations of male and female formations may be employed such as rabbeted side edges. In FIG. 10, the male and female formations 38a,38b again allow the panels 16a,16b to slide lengthwise relative to each other and prevent the panels separating in a horizontal direction but allow one panel to be lifted relative to the other in a vertical direction. This configuration of male and female formations permits the panels 16a,16b to be slid or lowered into place and also allows individual panels 16a,16b to be removed and replaced.

In both arrangements, the male and female formations allow loads to be spread between adjacent panels and may reduce the amount of support required for the floor. Both Figures also show the panels 16a,16b having floor finishes 32a,32b on the upper surface with sealant 34 and edge trim 36 finish therebetween. In some applications, side faces of adjacent panels 16a,16b may be separated by columns of the steel frame. In this case, the gap between the panels 16a,16b can be filled by inserting an in-fill panel 40 (FIGS. 11 and 12) with edge formations 40c configured to mate with the formations on the side faces of the panels 16a,16b so that the in-fill panel 40 can be lowered into place between the floor panels 16a,16b. The in-fill panel 40 has a matching floor finish 40d on its upper surface and sealant 34 and edge trim 36 finish is provided between the panels 16 and the in-fill panel 40. In FIG. 11, an in-fill gasket 41 is provided to fill the gap between the panels 16a,16b and the in-fill panel 40 at the lower edge.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a system for attaching the floor panels 16 to the support frame 14 by means of brackets 42 secured to the underside of the panels 16 and to the support frame 14. As shown the brackets 42 are generally Z-shaped with an upper arm 42a received in a sleeve 44 secured to the underside of the panel 16 and a lower arm 42b secured to a bolt 46 attached to the support frame 14. Packing 48 may be inserted between the underside of the panel 16 and the support frame 14 to take up any clearance to level the floor and/or to provide sound insulation before tightening a lock nut 50.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a typical lay-out of a floor pan 52 made up of panels 16 and in-fill panels 40 as described above. The panels 16 fill the space between upright columns 14a of the support frame 14 and the in-fill panels 40 fill the gaps. Panels 16 may come in a range of modular sizes according to the design of the building. For example a single modular panel may cover the floor area between four columns 14a arranged at the corners of the panel as shown in solid lines in FIG. 15. Alternatively, the same floor area may be covered by an assembly of two or more interlocking panels 16a,16b as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 15. Although a rectangular floor pan 52 is shown, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that other shapes of floor pan may be constructed employing modular floor panels are described herein.

In a modification (not shown), one or more of the floor panels may be replaced by a room module having formations co-operable with the adjacent floor panels and/or in-fill panels. In this way, room modules can be slid or lowered into position in similar manner to the floor panels and/or removed and replaced as desired. Also by incorporating the room module into the floor pan rather than installing the room module on top of the floor pan, continuity of floor levels and/or finishes etc can be obtained.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 to 22 of the drawings, various parts of the modular roof system above-described are shown in more detail. For convenience, like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts.

FIG. 17 shows the flat roof panel 24 being slid over the roof beams 60 in the direction of arrow A to the required position. The side edges of the panel 24 may be rabbeted as shown at 24a to overlap a rabbeted edge of an adjoining panel to improve the joint therebetween as shown in FIG. 18. The panels 24 may be supplied with a waterproof membrane 62 already attached to the outer surface and with or without membrane flaps 64 for sealing the joints between adjacent panels 24. The panel 24 may also be supplied with the inner surface finished with paint or any other lining/ceiling material, wood, plastics, glass reinforced plastics, etc. The panel 24 may also be configured to receive services similar to the floor panels described previously. For example, the services may be located in channels in the panels and may be installed off-site for supply and installation with the roof panels or the services may be installed on-site after the roof panels have been installed. Alternatively, service modules may be slung to the underside of the roof panels 24.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a locking system 61 for attaching the roof panels 24 to the roof beams 60 with no visible fixings. The roof beams 60 are provided with headed studs 66 that project from the upper surface and co-operate with sliding wedge packing plates 68 on the underside of the panel 24 to locate and retain the panel 24 in position. The panel 24 is lifted into position over the studs 66 and slid into position to tension the studs and secure the panel in position. The wedge packing plates 68 may be made of materials to eliminate cold bridging to the structure.

The locking system 61 may be employed to locate and secure a pitched roof 69 (FIG. 21) and a pitched roof 69 and flat roof 70 (FIG. 22). The roof may be pre-fabricated off-site for supply and installation. The pitched roof 69 may incorporate pre-wired solar panels (not sown) or the like and could have pre-installed services within the roof voids, allowing completed sections of the buildings to be delivered and plugged in to adjoining service units.

A similar locking system 61 to that above-described may also be used to secure external wall panels 70 to the support structure 14 as shown in FIG. 23. The wall panels 70 may be pre-fabricated off-site for supply and installation and may be provided with a suitable waterproof finish 72 on the outer surface to clad the building and with paint or other suitable finish on the inner surface.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and that various modifications can be made without departing from the principle of a modular system for removably mounting floor, roof and wall panels in a support frame to provide any desired lay-out.

Thus, the invention has application to single and multi-storey buildings. The modular system for floor, roof and wall panels may be employed in some or all areas of a multi-storey building according to the design and use of the building. The above systems are inter-changeable. For example, the floor plan Z-bracket detail, could be employed to retain the composite roof panels or the pitched roof elements depending on the supporting structure design. The sliding wedges which secure the roof panels in turn can be used to secure the floor panels and the external building envelope. The sliding wedges may be replaced by any other locking systems for attaching the roof panels, floor panels and walls panels. The interchangeable power services allow for the installation and removal of electrical services safely without the need of electrical engineers on site and also, for instance, to change a data outlet to a socket outlet in the future just by changing the front cover.

It will be appreciated that the modular systems described herein for constructing the floor, roof and external walls of a building together with the optional provision of room modules within a support frame provides versatility in the design and lay-out of the building as well as the capability to change the design and lay-out by replacing, moving, adding or substituting modules to provide any desired configuration.

Other changes that can be made will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is deemed to include all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A building comprising a support frame and a plurality of pre-fabricated modules received in the support frame, the modules comprising at least one of floor modules to form a floor or roof modules to form a roof of the building.

2. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules are configured for installation of services.

3. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules are configured to be slid into place in the support frame.

4. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules are configured to be lifted into place in the support frame.

5. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules comprise panels having edge formations for locating adjacent panels relative to each other.

6. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules comprise panels and in-fill panels are provided to close gaps between adjacent panels.

7. The building according to claim 1 wherein means is provided for securing the modules to the support frame.

8. The building according to claim 7 wherein the securing means comprises brackets for attaching an underside of the modules to the support frame.

9. The building according to claim 7 wherein the securing means comprises wedge packers for attaching an underside of the modules to the support frame.

10. The building according to claim 1 including at least one room module received in the support frame.

11. The building according to claim 10 wherein the room module is provided in place of a floor module.

12. The building according to claim 1 wherein the modules include wall modules to form an external wall of the building.

13. A method of constructing a building comprising providing a support frame for the building and inserting pre-fabricated modules into the frame to produce a floor and/or roof of desired size and shape.